Performing Arts on the Rise at SVC

When Mr. Streelman joined SVC as our Head of School in 2016, he identified building a vibrant Fine Arts department as a vital component of his strategic plan for our school. In 2017, Octavius Womack (“Mr. O”) took the reigns as Fine Arts Director and, in just one short year, took Mr. Streelman’s goal and turned it into a reality!

In 2017-2018, the inaugural year for the performing arts area of the overarching Fine Arts Department, the theater program produced and performed two musicals: High School Musical in the fall and Annie in the spring. Students from 7th – 12th grades had the opportunity to audition for lead roles, be cast as ensemble members, and work in production areas, such as on the stage and technical crews. Students performed before packed houses and livestream views are approaching 1,500.

Last year also saw the vocal program take off in High School. The SVC community was treated to two concerts, one in the winter and one at the close of the school year. Add to that the outstanding program which already existed in Elementary and Junior High (led by accomplished teacher and recording artist Kim Johnson), and the vocal arena at SVC has been elevated to a whole new level. It’s a platform where novice artists can explore their interests and more seasoned singers can hone their technical skills.

Here’s an overview of the performing arts docket for the current school year:

Theater – Grease, the Musical and The Greatest Showman. In addition, Elementary will perform their very first musical, Annie Jr.

Vocal – Three concerts (fall, Christmas, and spring)

Dance – The dance team nearly tripled in size this year and we welcomed new dance coach, Caitlin Brophy. Dance classes are being offered in both Junior High and High school, and there is an after-school dance program for Elementary students. Recitals take place for the collective group of dancers (Elementary – High School) in the fall and spring.

Trip to New York – Students from the High School Fine Arts Department (including Visual Arts) traveled to New York this year, spending nearly a week in one of the epicenters of the development of the Arts.

Even more opportunities are on the horizon for students beginning in the 2019-20 school year. One which Mr. O is particularly excited about is the development of a drumline in Junior High and High School.

To learn more about the SVC Fine Arts Department and Mr. O’s vision for it, please click here.